Target.



.PATENTED APR. 5, 1904.

G. L. TONNOFPSKI.

TARGET.

APPLICATION mum 812F124, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

TARGET- SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,433, dated April 5, 1904.

Application filed September 24,1903. Serial No. 174,486. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LGEORGE L. TONNOFFSKI, a citizen of theUnited' States, residing at Raleigh, North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Targets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to targets of that class in which a series of subordinate targets for firing-points are mounted in a target-face and are movable by the impact of the bullet thereon and in moving release mechanisms specific to each firing-point.-

My invention consists, broadly, in connection with such a series of movable subordinate targets, of a series of trays arranged to deliver their contents when released respectively by the movement of the subordinate target occasioned by the impact of a shot.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a front view of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a rear, and Fig. 3 a section on line 1 1 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings hereunto attached the faceplate, which contains the subordinate or subtargets, is shown at A. It is shown as supported by standards B B. In the plate A is a series of holes, preferably arranged in concentric circles and extending horizontally through the plate. In these holes are placed loose bolts 1, and these are so arranged that when the front end is struck by the bullet the bolt is driven out of the hole and falls by gravity. The tront ends of the bolts may be distinguished by any suitable color, so as to form a visible mark for the marksman. Below the plate A are arranged one or more rows of receptacles 2. These are pivoted on a transverse bar 3. They are open at the rear end or otherwise so constructed as to discharge their contents when tipped to the rear. When in place, the rear and open ends,measured from the pivotal line, are longer (or heavier) than the frontends, so that when the rear ends are released from their supports they will automatically drop and discharge the contents. The rear ends of these receptacles or trays are connected, respectively, to the bolts 1 in such manner that when the bolts are in place the trays are held up to a point necessary to retain their contents. Manifestly the rear ends of the traysmay be closed, the topof the tray being open, the only essential point in this matter being that the trays shall discharge their contents when dropped. I limit the upward movement of the rear ends of the trays by cross-bars 1, against which they bear when drawn up. The rear ends of the trays are connected with the bolts,preferably by spring connections. These may be in Whole or in part light coiled-wire springs, as shown at 5, but india-rubber connections may be used instead or even a bit of cord or rod, the essential requirement being that the connection shall be such that when the bolt which forms the subtarget is driven back the connection shall permit the tray to fall. Connections formed in whole or in part of elastic material are more convenient, as they serve more conveniently to draw up the tray against its limiting-bar and also permit the connections between the trays and the bolts to be shifted, so that it always may be rendered uncertain what particular subtarget is connected to any particular tray. The spring or other connections have hooks 8 on their upper ends fitted to hook detachably into holes in the rear ends of the bolts. Below the series of trays is a larger fixed tray 9, supported between the standards and adapted to receive the contents of any one of the trays when they discharge.

The trays are adapted to receive numbered or otherwise designated metal disks corresponding to the subtargets to which they are respectively attached, or to receive coins, and the exposed face of the subtargets may, if desired, be marked. They may, however, be left unmarked, so that the marksman will not know to what particular tray any target is connected. Also it is within my invention to vary the size or conspicuousness of the subtargets to render them more or less difiicult to hit, and therefore render it more or less difiicult to discharge the contents of any particular tray.

I do not limit myself as to the form or arrangement of the trays, the essential feature of my invention being the combination of trays or receptacles so connected with the subtargets as to be discharged by the impact of the bullet thereon whatever may be the form of these subtargets or the form of connection between the subtargets and the trays.

. I claim- 1. In a target, a series of subtargetsmmovable upon the impact of the bullet, a series of trays adapted to discharge their contents when moved, and connections between said trays and their respective subtargets whereby the trays are caused to discharge their contents by the movement of the subtargets, substantially as described.

2. In a target, a series of subtargets movable upon the impact of the bullet, aseries of ing removable and capable of being shifted from one subtarget to another, substantially as described.

3. In a target, a series of subtargets movable upon the impact of the bullet, a series of trays adapted to discharge their contents when moved, and elastic connections between said trays and their respective'subtargets whereby the trays are caused to discharge their contents by the movement of the subtargets, said connections between the trays and subtargets being removable and capable of being shifted from one subtarget to another, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE L. TONNOFFSKI. Witnesses:

J I E. CAMERON, VICTOR H. BOYDEN. 

